ARTHUR BURGESS 

The Weaverham St. Mary's R.o.H. records 3 lads named Burgess; brothers A. S. & W. Burgess and a J. Burgess. The “Fallen” Memorial records an A.S. (Arthur Shaw) Burgess Pte. This is Arthur’s Story only. (Cheshirebmd records Arthur Shaw born in 1896 W/ham District.) Cheshirebmd records 52 Burgess births in the years 1880 to 1900 in the Weaverham District alone.

Arthur’s name came up with the Service Records search using Weaverham, with what was thought to be his Reg’t. No 268181. The attestation and service documents gave other numbers, 13679 and 495575 these proved more successful when looking for Arthur on the National Archives Medal Card (N.A.M.C.) Registers. The 13679 relates to a time with the Cheshires and the 495575 relates to a period with the Labour Corps. Arthur was 19yrs 3m when he enlisted on the 3rd Sept. 1914. He was single, his “Calling” was a Labourer. He was posted with the 10th Cheshires on the 15th Sept. 1914, promoted to L/Cpl. 1st Oct. 1914. Promoted to Corporal on the 26th Feb. 1915 then reduced to Private on the 25th March 1915. Joined the Exp. Force to France on the 26th Sept. 1915. Again appointed (Unpd.) L/Cpl. 21st June 1916. Arthur appears to have been in the War Hospital, Bradford 22nd Aug. 1916. There is then reference to being transferred, 15th Dec. 1916, unsure of the date but would this be after his period in Hospital and was posting to the Labour Corps.

The 1911 census has Arthur Shaw Burgess living at home on Church View he was 14. He has a younger brother George Leonard who was 11. (N.A.M.C. - there is a medal card for a George L. Burgess with the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem, awarded the Victory medal but this person is not listed with the V.A.D’s.)

Guardian Article 1st Nov. 1918 P5/C2; IN HOSPITAL, PRIVATE ARTHUR S. BURGESS.

On Friday morning Mr. and Mrs William Burgess of 10 Church Lane, Weaverham, received a telegram stating that their son, Private Arthur S. Burgess, of the R.W.F. was seriously ill in hospital at Norwich. They immediately went to see him and found him delirious, but on Tuesday, when they returned, his condition was slightly improved. Private Burgess, who enlisted in 1914 has served 14 months at the front. He was brought over to England two years ago suffering from trench fever and after four months in hospital was placed on farm work. He contracted influenza three weeks ago, and pneumonia supervened. He was formerly employed at the Creamery, Cuddington. Another brother is on active service with the Navy. (William.)

2nd Nov. 1918 Arthur dies of Influenza and Pneumonia.

C.W.G.C. remember a Burgess, Shaw (Arthur not used.) at St. Mary’s Weaverham Churchyard, he was 22. They reference the 10th Cheshire Regiment, No 13679, Private, and his transfer to the Labour Corps., No 495575, he died 02/11/1918. Son of William and Elizabeth Burgess of Maldwyn Cottage, Beach Grove, Chester Rd., Hartford. Inscription; “LOVE’S LAST GIFT – REMEMBRANCE.”

Guardian Article 22nd Nov. 1918 P2/C3; WEAVERHAM. THE LATE PRIVATE A. S. BURGESS.

Striking tributes of respect to the memory of the late Private A. S. Burgess, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, were paid by the residents of Weaverham at the funeral He had died in hospital as reported in a previous issue of the “Guardian” and the body was brought home for interment. The cortège was headed by a firing party of the Northwich Volunteers, in charge of Sergeant A. Birtwistle and Captain J. Arthur Cowley of the Volunteer Motor Transport and Hon. secretary for the Sailors and Soldiers Families Association was also present. The mourners were Mr William Burgess (father), Misses Edith and Joyce Burgess (sisters), Master Frank Burgess (brother), Mr. and Mrs. J. Burgess (uncle and aunt), Mr. and Mrs. G. Burgess (uncle and aunt), Mrs Chadwick (aunt), Mrs. R. Jones (aunt), Mr. and Mrs. J. Phillips (uncle and aunt), Mr. William Thomas (uncle), Mrs. Wynne Jones (aunt) Mrs Fred Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. Eyre, Mrs. Lightburn, Master Alfred Chadwick, Miss Amy Burgess, Miss Edith Jones (cousins) “Auntie Rose” Mrs G. Heath and Miss Doris Heath (Winsford), Mr. H. Percival and Mr. A Robinson (friends), The Vicar (Rev. Francis Long), officiated , and the firing party fired three volleys over the grave, after which Bugler Burgess sounded the “Last Post.” (Who was Bugler Burgess? Could this be George L. Burgess rather than William.) Floral tributes were sent by father, mother, brothers and sisters, “Uncle and Aunt” family (Northwich), “Uncle and Aunt” (Weaverham), “Uncle and Aunt and Alfred” (Barnton), “Auntie Rose, Ethel, Fred and Brenda” “Cousins Kate and Peter” Mr. and Mrs. Percival and family, Mr. and Mrs. Whitley and family, Mrs Clarke and “Larry,” Mr. and Mrs. J. Sayle, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Ellison.

Private Burgess, who was 22 years of age, joined the Colours on September the 3rd 1914, and enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment. His death was due to pneumonia, following an attack of influenza. The family have received numerous letters of condolence in their bereavement, and these include one from the officers and men of his battalion, expressing sympathy, and stating how he had endeared himself to all by his genial disposition. He had a brother serving with the Grand Fleet.

N.A.M.C. have a card for a Burgess, Arthur S. Cheshire Regiment No 13679, Rank: Private. There is reference to the Labour Corps and his No 495575, Private. Awarded 15 Star, British & Victory Medals. Theatre of War France and Date of Entry 26/9/1915.

The 1901 census has a Burgess family living at Copy Hold, Weaverham. The 1911 census has this Burgess family living on Church View Weaverham.

Researched Bob Heaton